Five soldiers have been confirmed dead following an attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters on a military base in Borno State.
The terrorists reportedly attacked the Forward Operating Base, FOB, at Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Friday.
The Acting spokesman of the Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, Lt. Col. Haruna Sani, confirmed the incident in a statement.
According to him, the insurgents stormed the military location at about 3:00 a.m. during a rainstorm.
Sani said troops engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle and repelled the assault.
“Regrettably, in the course of the battle, five gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the intense firefight and close-quarter engagement,” he said.
He added that some military equipment was affected during the exchange of fire.
The military spokesman, however, noted that troops remain in control of the base and have continued operations in the area.
“Troops remain firmly in control of the FOB and continue to dominate the general area, while exploitation operations are ongoing for consolidation,” Sani stated.
The attack is the latest in a series of assaults by insurgent groups targeting military formations in parts of the North-East.
